The history of Valentine's Day is shrouded in mystery. But the legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When the Emperor decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine defied the Emperor and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, the Emperor ordered that he be put to death.

Did You Know?

In 1835, the remains (or what are believed to be the remains) of St. Valentine were bestowed to an Irish priest named Father John Spratt by Pope Gregory XVI. A Shrine can still be viewed each Valentine's day at Whitefrair Street Church in Dublin.

An estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year.

Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D.

St. Valentines is also the patron saint of beekeepers and as being of help against fainting!

61 percent of all men surveyed say they would like to receive flowers for Valentine's Day from a woman.